More Rangers on sidelines after win over Generals

OSHAWA — It was a case of one step forward and two steps back for the Kitchener Rangers on the injury front.

The club welcomed back front line centre Matia Marcantuoni for Sunday’s 2-1 victory against the Oshawa Generals but lost imports Radek Faksa and Tobias Rieder.

Marcantuoni missed the last four games with a fractured finger and looked like he hadn’t missed a beat by picking up an assist on the game winning goal.

“I’m supposed to come back later but I really wanted to play and be there for my team,” he said. “As long as my finger is not getting worse, I can deal with the pain.”

Faksa didn’t make the trip to the ’Shwa after complaining about a sore throat. As it turns out, the Czech centre hasn’t been feeling well for about a week. Faksa skipped a few recent practices and off-ice workouts to rest but it didn’t solve the problem.

“For me it’s concerning because his energy level has been going up and down,” said Kitchener general manager and head coach Steve Spott. “We need to address it as soon as possible.”

The team ran a bunch of tests — including one for mono — and they all came back negative.

“Now we’re going to have to look at the tonsils and see if there is something there,” said Spott.

Faksa has 14 points in 16 games and is second in the Ontario Hockey League with four game-winners. Spott said the 18-year-old will likely be back in the lineup while the team tries to pinpoint the problem.

Rieder was dressed and ready to go Sunday but pulled a muscle in his back on the follow through on a shot during the warmup and missed the rest of the game. He’s listed as day to day but should be back Friday when the team hosts Erie at the Aud.

“When you take Faksa and Rieder out of our lineup, you need a lot of guys to respond and we got that tonight,” said Spott.

Forward Matt Puempel continued his torrid scoring spree Sunday by bagging a pair of second period markers, including the game-winner. The Ottawa Senators first round draft pick has six goals in his past four games and is tied for third in the OHL with 16 on the season.

“I’m excited for him,” said Spott. “There is a guy who loves to score. When he scores you can see the passion on his face.”

Goalie John Gibson turned aside 35 shots to improve to 11-3 on the year and lowered his goals against average to a tidy league best 1.89.

It was the Rangers’ second victory over the Generals this season and extended Kitchener’s winning streak to five games. Captain Ryan Murphy picked up an assist Sunday and now has points in his past five games.

Notes:

Sophomore defenceman Jared Gilbert is on the shelf for at least a week after suffering a concussion in Friday’s win over the Soo. Teammate Nick Czinder, who has missed the past four games with a concussion, has been cleared to start his return to play protocol.